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Topic: Nonsense in Puerto Rico (Read 8401 times)

I'm posting this here as I saw this on the message boards in Ancestry and thought I should share it with the group here; I'm not suprised by this...

To all people who are researching their tree. I’m posting this note so that everyone is aware of what is going on. For many years many of us have had the most difficult task in researching our ancestors when it comes to Puerto Rico. Because of this difficult task, we have had to either make a personal trip to Puerto Rico, visit a local LDS to sit in the dark reviewing the available films, and/or rely on others (who have no interest) in supplying us information on genealogy. Many of us can’t read or speak the language which adds to the difficulty. Although many books have been written in the past, they are also unavailable because they are out of print and if they do become available, are not feasible to pay the large sum requested because it is out of reach to many. In addition, many of us have discovered errors in the author’s research which is understandable as it’s not easy for anyone to do the research.

After so many years of asking for these records to become available, the LDS managed to film many of the of the books that weren’t “hidden” from their view. The LDS is currently uploading these images onto the internet to make it easier for everyone to research their ancestors. Yes the LDS had their reasons but it benefits not just them but ALL of us in this daunting task of us filming the images. We now have the ability of spending hours in our own homes reviewing these records versus spending it in an LDS Family Center away from family; if we want to review while the children are sleeping or because we are up at 2am, we now can and not on someone else’s schedule. Many of us in the community are TRULY grateful in the effort the LDS has taken on as the Census records do not provide enough to go back into our past. The LDS has uploaded many Civil Records as well as Church Records for Puerto Rico and other parts of the globe for people like you and me. It has been a great source in providing all of us the ability JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD to search for OUR ancestors.

Now you ask where am I going with this? Well the issue is that there are a few people in Puerto Rico who feel that they are ABOVE EVERYONE and that ONLY THEY should have access to these records; HUGE EGOS. In their narrow minded ignorant heads, they feel that they OWN the records and that people like you and me should not have access to these records. I am posting this because these same narrow minded ignorant people are demanding that the LDS take down the records. I say enough is enough with the corruption that seems to have taken hold in Puerto Rico. It ISN’T their right to hide our heritage from many of us. It ISN’T their right to decide whether we should or shouldn’t have access to our ancestor’s records. These ancestors not theirs or mine or yours but OURS!!!! The saddest part is that they don’t allow Puerto Ricans to be proud of who and how we became Puerto Ricans by limiting access to our own ancestors.

Please let it be known that up until now, they have been controlling what we gain access or not gain access to and it’s ridiculous to see so many requesting help to only be met with doors shut in their faces. Currently the LDS has these records available but if these people win in their selfish game, WE ALL LOSE!!! Keep that in mind and if they do win in removing these records then we all should ban together and demand that the LDS keep the records up as they have equal rights to their own images and supplying said images just like those in Puerto Rico who can claim “copy right” to their own images ONLY and not to the records. These same individuals are the ones who charge a ridiculous amount to people to gain access to something the LDS is offering for free. As you can see, it’s ALL about the MONEY and NOT about our HERITAGE!!!

In Hatillo, I had the rare priviledge of sorting through the Babtism records in the Church, because I was escorted by an influential relative who had access to the parish office. We were compelled to peruse through the ancient scrolls hanging off our laps. There was no hint of a table in the tiny quarters to place them. Small yellowing pieces of torn pages kept falling out of the ledgers and it was not always possible to replace them in the proper spot. This was rather heart breaking as many of these inscriptions were to become "lost" forever.This incident occurred over five years ago. I believe the current conditions are the same or worse. I learned that the Church (at least in this parish) did not permit agents from the church in Salt Lake City to examine these ledgers and transcribe the data to a digital format for all to see and access. I suggested to my comrade that perhaps a church collection of funds could be taken to pay professionals to do this type of work. Perhaps University students could be entrusted to undertake such an important objective.It is disappointing how today's church oficials can be so possessive, if not just neglectful, of these records. Were they not put down on paper for future generations (us) to access in the first place?